Beginnings and endings

I came across this really good interview with my city’s mayor (click on the February 8th Smart City radio interview under the Broadcasts section), talking about the history of Youngstown and the current situation here, as the community attempts to restructure and revitalize after decades of economic and political disintegration. It’s a very different story here than what the traditional narrative of American cities tells, but it’s not that unheard of either. Cities that have suffered disaster, both man-made and natural, are dealing with this same scenario: Detroit, St. Louis, New Orleans. Despite the economic condition of a city like Youngstown being so bad, though, right now I’ve never lived anywhere before surrounded by so many creatively stimulate and stimulating people. It’s a beginning, but that’s better than an end.